Friday, 13 June 2008

Introduction

Hello. This is Coco Wang.

As you know the breaking news of 5.12 Earthquake in China, almost all the TV channels in China are broadcasting 24 hours non-stop of every development and stories of all the rescue operations in all damaged locations.

I don't know how much information the BBC or any UK media received from us, I imagine the UK audiences were presented with the major developments of the incident, but you are probably unaware of many important and inside details which are only known to people inside China.

The amount of incredibly moving stories of victims, rescuers, volunteers is simply shocking at the moment. I have been collecting newspapers of all the stories, and telling them in the form of comic strips. I hope these stories could show the UK readers the love, warmth and courage of the Chinese people, also the sad and cruel reality of the horrible 5.12 Earthquake.

I am back home in Beijing now. Thousands of heart-breaking stories are happening 24 hours non-stop everyday, some are so sad that you can hardly bear, some are incredibly moving that you just can't stop crying... I wanted to go to the front to help with all those people, some of my friends have already gone there, but I heard that the traffic needed to be kept totally clear for rescue transportation at the moment, people like me without knowledge of first-aid and experience of rescue operations going there now would cause choas and trouble... but I can't just sit at home and do nothing, I have been crying my eyes out in the past three days, I have never felt more proud of my country and people... their love, courage and kindness rock me to my core! I have decided to tell these touching stories by drawing comics. I am going to send you comic strips almost everyday from now on, I hope you could know something about the earthquake in China, although you don't have to do anything, but I hope you could feel our love and hope.

These stories are absolutely incredible. I am of Asian descent, and I am especially touched to see heroism and bravery of this calibre. It gives me hope that if the need arises, I can also be that brave.

the comic strip was great and i was moved to tears. i remember how it was in India when we had earthquake in Gujarat. wish we could have posted comic strips like these too, then everybody would have known....:)keep posting something new....and do send a link to me at lopamudrasarkar.wordpress.com

I'm reading this in the office, trying to hold back tears. Thank you, strangely this has brought home the true horror of what happened and the heroism of those involved far more than the conventional news coverage. You've prompted me to donate the relief efforts in both China and Myanmar, something I should have done earlier. Thank you, take care and be safe.

Ni Hao from the United States. We did get some of the news here, though not nearly enough I think (hooray for National Public Radio!) Your strips brought me to tears. I am not Chinese (or even of Asian decent) in any way, but have been studying Mandarin and Chinese culture. These stories make me very, very proud of the Chinese people for their courage, resilience and heart.

This is a great thing you are doing, creating comic strips to bring forth the courage and resilience of the Chinese people. I was deeply moved by your comic strips and couldn't hold back my tears when I read your comic strips.

You made me cry (real tears) with the story of teacher Wang and you made me laugh (out loud) with the stories of the pandas and coke boy. Powerful stuff. We gwailos tend to forget that people are just people everywhere and that blood is the same colour when it flows no matter the country it falls upon. The courage and collective strength of the Chinese people during the earthquake crisis is an example to us all. Thank you for taking the time to compose these English language cartoons they have educated me greatly and shown me how to see the Chinese as people just like us.

The stories these pictures tell are very moving. I wish there was no profanity in them so that I could show them to my children. Could they not send the same message with purer words, echoing the pure dedication of the rescue workers? We have many strong words in our language that will adequately portray the feelings of people under immense stress and emotion. These rescuers will need much comfort themselves as they relive the desperate attempts to save lives in time.

These comic strips are exceptionally moving-the courage and chivalry of the Chinese people in the face of such agonizing sorrow is inspiring and brought a powerful prayer on my heart for Jesus Christ's healing power and love in their lives! Thank you, Coco Wang, for using your talent to share with us who were not there the reality of this tragedy as it affected individual lives. May God be with you.

It's impossible for those of us living in the states to truly feel the pain of the Chinese people, but your comics have given those who live half a world away an invaluable message, one of love and kindness.

Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to create this project. Let's hope it will not take another disaster of this magnitude to remind people of life's simple treasures.

It's easy to see all this as if peering into another world, or to view the news stories like it's just television. Sometimes you need the personal stories to make you realize how real the struggle was, and how much sorrow people have suffered.

“Thank you very much. Even though my country (Malaysia) never had a serious earthquake, either I experience any earthquake. But I can feel the power of love and the fear of earthquake in your comic. Hope that everybody can realize what's the most important thing. Not money, not power."

I only just found this strip, and read about the earthquake. I cried until my heart ached, and read and reread the comic several times. I can only imagine the strength these people had, and I am humbled, as a human being, by their actions.

Thank you so much for making this comic. For retelling stories that will echo on into history, reminding us of the courage and perseverance of people who gave their lives to save others. Who lived, if only for the ones they loved. Whose stories will remain with me throughout my life, thanks to you.